E3 2008: The New Experience

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This Fall, everything changes for the Xbox 360 frontend.

By IGN Staff

Blowing everybody away this year at E3 2008 (at least, those of us who love sexy console interfaces), Microsoft announced at its E3 conference that a brand new version of the Xbox 360 interface will be released this Fall.

Unofficially dubbed the new Xbox 360 experience, this is a total revision of the interface. New Dashboard, new channels, new features, new communication systems -- everything is brand new. A new My Xbox Channel takes everything on your console (video, music, and games) and puts it in one place. A better Gamercard system shows achievement and gamerscore. Media services have also been announced, including the integration of NetFlix into Xbox 360 (where users can now download videos using their own NetFlix account at no extra cost.)

Perhaps most important of the additions to the interface was the announcement of a a brand new Avatar system (which is Microsoft's answer to PlayStation Home and the Wii Miis) is a total-integration system where every user has his own character that can be seen by other users as well as used in games. There's a new Community Channel and Live Party system (for up to eight friends) to allow more community interactions than ever before. This includes a new Xbox Live Primetime channel, where hundreds can star in own game show (including 1 vs 100 Live.)

All told, Microsoft promises that this new interface and Will offer more entertainment than any other set-top box you can connect to your TV. We hope to have clearer descriptions of the new features and unrevealed details when E3 opens tomorrow.